The Concept Strada sources a liquid-cooled 650 Single similar to the BMW G650GS – the Bavarians, of course, being the current taskmasters of Husqvarna. Husky PR claims its own folks have improved on the Teutonic platform, stating: “This engine has been ‘breathed on’ by specialist Husqvarna engineers and the subsequent power upgrade has resulted in an extremely lively machine.”

Beefing up an existing BMW mill and injecting it into a Husqvarna package is the same strategy employed in Husky’s confirmed 2012 production street entries – the Nuda 900 and 900R. The Nudas makes use of the F800 Parallel Twin, but with a displacement bump and considerable claimed power gains (more than 100 horsepower and 100 Nm torque [73.8 lb-ft]).

Husqvarna Strada Photo Gallery

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Like the Nuda, the Strada features rolling chassis upgrades compared to its closest analogous Beemer (G650). Most notable is the stout-looking inverted fork – looking quite familiar to the unit adorning the Moab concept which debuted at the EICMA show in Milan. Like the G650 the Strada retails a single-disc front brake. It employs a Brembo two-piston caliper up front, with a single-piston caliper rear. The tube frame and exhaust routing are quite different than the BMW, but the Strada retains essential BMW-esque quirks like the right-side chain drive.

Husqvarna claims its Strada weighs in at 173 kilos dry. That’s 375 pounds for the metrically-challenged.

In the looks department, the Strada falls somewhere between the Nuda’s naked lines and the Moab concept’s dirt-tracker aesthetics. And while this new ride is pitched as an urban street offering (strada is Italian for street), the Husky can’t help but exude dirty intentions with its skid-plate and wire-spoked wheels (19-inch front and 17-inch rear).

Husqvarna makes it plain that the Strada is the way forward for the brand. Says official company PR: “Like the Nuda before it, and the Concept Moab that was unveiled in Husqvarna Motorcycles’ home territory at the recent EICMA show in Milan, the Concept Strada is further evidence of the company’s commitment to expanding its model portfolio and providing fans of the legendary Italian brand with a new series of road motorcycles.”

Husqvarna promises production is “imminent,” and numerous accessories will be available when the Strada hits the market in 2012.